Max

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Max, a Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), thinks he is human, or that humans are owls. As an orphaned nestling in 1998, raised by humans, Max became imprinted, and could not be released back into the wild. Imprinting is irreversible. At one year old, he chose his caretaker as his mate. Since his wild instincts remain, he has become a dedicated foster-parent for other orphaned owlets, and so far has raised 76 young owlets for release back into the wild. Great horned owls mate for life.